Stop Second-Guessing Your Spanish Shoebox

In
third grade our class held a school parade where each of us made a “float”
representing a different country. My assigned nation was Spain.

I
spent hours with a shoebox and crayons creating a spectacular bullfighting diorama,
complete with an arena full of spectators. In the center of the box, I had a
representation of a bull, played by our Little People cow, and of a fighter
represented by a doll that was likely a hand-me-down with bright pink hair,
sunglasses, and zebra-striped tights. Scaled to size, the pink-haired,
trailblazing matadora would have been just shy of 10 feet tall.

This
box was going to be secured to my 18” stubby Alf skateboard, which I would pull
proudly through the halls with some random string/shoelace attached near the
wheels.

Pictures from Google to help you see what went into the Spanish shoebox diorama 🙂

But
sometime between finishing up the night before and displaying it for all my
classmates the next morning, I started doubting.

Maybe
I saw another student’s box and felt insecure about my own work, or perhaps
someone said something I can’t remember all these decades later, but I do
remember the confidence draining.

So
when the teacher gave out the opportunity for students who weren’t finished to
continue working on their projects during recess, I jumped at the chance like
someone had just offered me one of Willy Wonka’s golden tickets.

I did
some quick research with an Encyclopedia Britannica and found that Spain is
known for some impressive architecture, so with construction paper, a tissue
box and 20 minutes, I fashioned some kind of building, relieving the cow and
the doll of their duties, and covering up all the spectators with Scotch tape
and sheets of green and yellow.

To
this day I can remember the disappointment on my teacher’s face when I asked to
change it up. She knew the box I started with represented a lot of effort and
watching me doubt it and haphazardly change things out of fear certainly left
her disheartened for me. I received a good grade, but deep down we both knew
the first plan was better.

Sadly, that’s not the last time I have wimped out because of
doubts and fear and uncertainty. When I am convinced I have a purpose or a
calling or an assignment to do, I can start out full force. I am excited and
feel passionate about it. Then something happens. I start to question if I have
what it takes or whether it’s really something that’s needed. I wonder if it’s
something other people will support. I start seeing myself falling flat on my
face.

Priscilla Shirer, in Discerning the Voice of God,
says “You will know God’s voice because it will bring encouragement along with
conviction.” God speaks with conviction, while the enemy speaks with
condemnation, she says. “When (God) speaks to you, His words will carry the continued
hope of intimacy, friendship, and reconciled relationship.”

Those thoughts I have, mentioned toward the end of the
paragraph before last, certainly don’t fall under the category of intimacy, friendship,
or relationship. They are harsh and damaging and meant to tear me down.

So, when I am hearing the Holy Spirit guide my heart toward
a new purpose or passion or calling and destructive thoughts come my way, I have
three jobs to do:

1.
Pray – I need to ask the Holy Spirit to
renew the excitement I had when He first led me to this new thing and ask Him
to make it so very clear if it is not a thing from Him.

2.
Remember – the power/talent/resources I need
to do the thing He is asking me to do are from Him and He will make sure I am equipped
with them. He doesn’t leave us emptyhanded.

3.
Get on with it – I must ask God for the
first step of my assignment and do it with enthusiasm and delight, then listen
for the next step.

So, join me. Put away the construction paper and let’s walk that
parade with confidence. If He has asked us to do it, we are as equipped and
prepared as we need to be.

“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you
which path to take.” Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)

Share this:

Like this:

Related

About Jen Chapman

She is a wife to Shawn for 20 years and counting, and a mom to Noah, and together they live out their story in their tiny town of Barboursville, WV. She is a freelance writer and a blogger at girlmeetsgrace.com. Flowers, bookstores, and people are what make her smile. She has seen God’s grace redeem her big-time and wants everyone to know it and experience it for themselves. She wants more than anything to give praise and honor to Jesus, and point people to Him.